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http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/12/e3-2014-final-fantasy-xiv-live-letter-details-fan-festival-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/06/12/e3-2014-final-fantasy-xiv-live-letter-details-fan-festival-date/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Fans have been eagerly awaiting the dates for the Final Fantasy XIV festival in October, and during the most recent live letter from the producer those dates were finally revealed. The gathering will take place on October 18th and 19th at Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, October 25th at the Tobacco Dock in London, and December 20th and 21st at the Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo.

Other revelations from the letter? Personal chambers are going to be priced at approximately 300,000 gil for players who want a room of their own off of their Free Company house. Patch 2.3 will be going live on July 8th. There are also more questions asked regarding the new floors of Crystal Tower, the addition of new items, and the Frontline system, but all of those answers can be found in the official translation thread.

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 10-12, bringing you all the best news from E3 2014. We're covering everything from WildStar and Landmark to Skyforge and H1Z1, so stay tuned!

Letter from the Producer LIVE translations
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conconsoleconsolesconventionconvention-coveragee3e3-2014electronic-entertainment-expoevent-coverageexpofan-festivalfan-gatheringfantasyffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgatheringhousingmassively-event-coveragenewsnews-itemspatchpatchesplayer-housingreal-world-eventssquaresquare-enixThu, 12 Jun 2014 15:00:00 -0400319|20911421http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/15/tamriel-infinium-seriously-you-should-craft-in-elder-scrolls-o/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/15/tamriel-infinium-seriously-you-should-craft-in-elder-scrolls-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/15/tamriel-infinium-seriously-you-should-craft-in-elder-scrolls-o/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
I've come to the conclusion that Elder Scrolls Online is not a game you want run through quickly. If you fly past each town just running from quest marker to quest marker, you'll miss some of the most important things the game has to offer and burn-out comes that much faster. In the first day, we had a player reach max level in less than 18 hours. Of course, some players cry "exploit," but for me, that's not really the point. I would feel I was missing something if I rushed to the end. And because I didn't rush to the end, I can try out some parts of Elder Scrolls Online that I would not even think about trying in any other MMO, like crafting.

I have a long-standing angst toward crafting in MMOs. I played Ultima Online, but I didn't really craft in that game. I didn't start to understand the importance of crafting until I played Star Wars Galaxies. As we know, crafting was central to the success of that game. But after ZeniMax announced that an auction house would not exist in ESO, I wrote off crafting as unimportant and ultimately a waste of my time.

Then late in beta, a friend of mine crafted a set of armor for me. I was surprised. The armor she made was better than my looted armor. I had to find out more. I put this little primer together for those who want to get started making their own weapons and armor.

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add-onaddonsbethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftcolumncraftingdeconstructionelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesoESOheadfeaturedgatheringguideprimertamrieltamriel-infiniumtesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinezenimaxzenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosTue, 15 Apr 2014 12:00:00 -0400319|20868850http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/09/fallen-earth-nodes-to-get-less-willy-nilly/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/09/fallen-earth-nodes-to-get-less-willy-nilly/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/04/09/fallen-earth-nodes-to-get-less-willy-nilly/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Tired of node placement refusing to make a lick of common sense in Fallen Earth? There's a dev for that.

Fallen Earth's new state of the game post for April has a word or two to say about how the team is moving around gathering nodes to fit the environment better. "What this will look like is an increase in hand-placed nodes that reflect the setting and environment better and fewer nodes scattered willy-nilly," said Producer Marie Croall.

The post also talks about new armor suits and cosmetic gear recipes that are coming soon as part of the rewards for controlling the Outpost.

April state of the game
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craftingdev-diaryf2pfallen-earthfefree-to-playg1gamersfirstgatheringnodespost-apocpost-apocalypticsandboxsci-fistate-of-the-gamewastelandsWed, 09 Apr 2014 18:30:00 -0400319|20866401http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/03/18/final-fantasy-xiv-shows-off-crafting-and-gathering-improvements/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/03/18/final-fantasy-xiv-shows-off-crafting-and-gathering-improvements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/03/18/final-fantasy-xiv-shows-off-crafting-and-gathering-improvements/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#commentsFinal Fantasy XIV's second major patch is bringing plenty of things for people to fight and kill. But what about players who would rather gather and craft? They haven't been forgotten in the slightest. The latest development blog shows off what the Disciples of the Hand and Disciples of the Land are getting up to, starting with the inclusion of new crafting stations for housing. Crafters below level 40 can earn bonus CP from these stations, making it that much easier to produce high-quality items as you level.

A plethora of new crafting recipes have also been added, including new crafting books that the most experienced crafters will be able to decipher and use. New main-hand tools will also be available in exchange for crafted goods and gathered materials, while gatherers will have access to new resources. Fishers aren't left out, either -- there's new sea life to be caught, fish so rare and unexpected that they were thought to be only legend. So if you don't want to start the next patch off with some fighting, you can take the time and just craft your days away.

WoW Archivist explores the secrets of World of Warcraft's past. What did the game look like years ago? Who is etched into WoW's history? What secrets does the game still hold?

With WoW's tenth anniversary fast approaching, one thing is clear: virtually everything in this game has been changed, updated, or replaced at one time or another. The UI, the stats, character creation, raid systems, class abilities, questing -- all have undergone necessary overhauls to keep the game relevant and modern. A question for the Queue last month asked a very interesting question: What in WoW has never, ever changed?

You might think so, but no

Many aspects of the game seem like they have never changed, but they have.

The act of gathering: Sure, Blizzard added bonuses to the professions in Wrath such as the crit bonus for skinning or the HoT from herbalism. And as of Cataclysm, you can now earn XP by gathering. Gathering no longer requires tools. Yet the fundamental mechanics have always been the same: you right click stuff, get the stuff, and skill up so you can click on better stuff. Right?

Back in classic, gathering actually had a chance to fail. Orange difficulty nodes would not cough up their resources to anyone who wandered past with the minimum required skill. Failing three or four times on a node before a successful gathering attempt was not unheard of.

This led to some interesting "PvP" gathering scenarios, even on PvE realms. If two players converged on the node, the first to click it didn't necessarily get the goods. This situation sometimes led to a hilarious "duel" in which both players failed at gathering over and over again. It became a matter of luck, persistence, and rapid clicking. Mining was especially bad, because it used to take multiple strikes to clear out a node. Two players could spend minutes trying to outmine each other on a single rock.

Racial bonuses, enchantments, and items that boosted gathering skills all mattered much more, not just to save time from the failed attempts, but to beat other players to the punch.

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armorbackpackblizzardblizzard-archivesblizzard-archivistblizzard-historyclass-colorsclass-iconsclockdancesdrinkingfeaturedfirst-aidgaming-historygatheringhearthstoneherbalismitem-qualityminingmmo-historyonline-gaming-historyPC-gaming-historyracial-abilitiesracialstrackingvanilla-warcraftvanilla-wowwarcraft-archiveswarcraft-archivistwarcraft-developmentwarcraft-historywarcraft-nostalgiaweaponswow-archiveswow-archivistwow-developmentwow-historywow-nostalgiaFri, 14 Feb 2014 12:00:00 -050099|20826348http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/08/norrathian-notebook-eqn-landmark-alpha-101/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/08/norrathian-notebook-eqn-landmark-alpha-101/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/02/08/norrathian-notebook-eqn-landmark-alpha-101/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
You know you've got it bad when you don't want to leave a game long enough to write about it! But that's exactly how this last week has been for me and EverQuest Next Landmark. Don't get me wrong; it's an awesome change to be so eager to play that you willingly stare at a login queue (getting to listen to Jeremy Soule's music while you do is definitely a bonus!) and even spend hours gathering materials, knowing that it will all be wiped. It's just been a long while since that has happened to me. Luckily, the alpha has had downtimes, allowing me some sleep and a chance to whip this first impressions piece and quick-start guide up for you.

Even with many of the core features from the game still missing, this alpha shows you straight off that EQN Landmark truly is a whole different game. The term innovative is not just a catchphrase here; it's a summary. As such, jumping in can leave eager players a bit overwhelmed or frustrated. So this here's a quick introduction course with hints and tips to get you started.%Gallery-slideshow101282%

I know, I know. You've been burned by SOE in the past. Maybe you're still angry about the NGE, or maybe you're a Vanguard lifer and the wound is still fresh. Maybe you're even one of those goofballs who mistakenly thinks that internet spaceships plus PvP drama equals the only relevant MMO.

Whatever your bias, you should be excited for what Landmark represents if you're a sandbox fan.

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craftingeqeq-nexteq-next-landmarkeqneqn-alphaeqn-hands-oneqn-landmarkeqn-previeweverquesteverquest-nexteverquest-next-landmarkfantasyfeaturedgatheringhands-onharvestinglandmarklandmark-alphalandmark-hands-onlandmark-previewmmo-traveloguenon-combat-gameplaysandboxsoesony-online-entertainmentMon, 03 Feb 2014 11:00:00 -0500319|20821455http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/02/the-daily-grind-do-you-gather-your-own-crafting-materials/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/02/the-daily-grind-do-you-gather-your-own-crafting-materials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/01/02/the-daily-grind-do-you-gather-your-own-crafting-materials/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
I've been doing a bunch of gathering in Lord of the Rings Online lately. I'm trying to raise a couple of my crafting professions, see, and the auction house prices for the necessary materials are -- in a word -- ridiculous.

Not only that, but LotRO's gathering is a low-stress activity that I've always enjoyed, since it requires traveling throughout Turbine's ever-expanding version of Middle-earth and it's a great excuse to see the sights and snap a bunch of screenshots. Gathering's probably not for everyone, though. What about you? Assuming you craft in your MMO of choice, do you gather your own mats or do you acquire them some other way?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

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auction-house-pricescraftingdaily-grindf2pfantasyfree-to-playgatheringlandrovallord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotronon-combat-gameplayopiniontdgthe-daily-grindturbineturbine-entertainmentThu, 02 Jan 2014 08:00:00 -0500319|20798637http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/10/upcoming-everquest-next-landmark-livestream-will-discuss-harvest/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/10/upcoming-everquest-next-landmark-livestream-will-discuss-harvest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/12/10/upcoming-everquest-next-landmark-livestream-will-discuss-harvest/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
You've asked for more details about EverQuest Next Landmark, and now you're getting them... tomorrow, that is. On Wednesday, December 11th at 7:00 p.m. EST, devs will be giving you the scoop on gathering in the next Landmark livestream.

FacebookEQN Landmark livestream
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Colette-Dexella-MurphyColette-MurphyDominoEmily-Domino-TaylorEmily-Tayloreqeq-nexteq-next-landmarkeqneqn-landmarkeverquesteverquest-nexteverquest-next-landmarkfantasygatheringharvestinglandmarklivestreamminingsandboxsoesony-online-entertainmentTerry-MichaelsTue, 10 Dec 2013 10:30:00 -0500319|20785584http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-rather-use-mats-to-craft-or-make-mone/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-rather-use-mats-to-craft-or-make-mone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-rather-use-mats-to-craft-or-make-mone/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
With each new MMO that I dig into, there's always that looming question I must address from the start: Do I want to pursue crafting or just be a gatherer-supplier?

Crafting has a lot going for it: delayed gratification, potentially big rewards, self-reliance, and satisfaction for making your own gear. It's also not a terrific money-maker in most games in the beginning (in fact, it's often a money pit), it takes a long time to do, and sometimes it's just easier to farm or buy gear elsewhere.

I usually choose to gather and sell materials to make money, because then I can just buy what I want. Plus, I like being well-off in games -- you never know when you'll need a huge chunk of cash for that tempting purchase!

What about you? Would you rather use mats to craft or make money?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

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craftingdaily-grindeconomygatheringmatmaterialsmatsopiniontdgthe-daily-grindWed, 23 Oct 2013 08:00:00 -0400319|20750352http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-specialize-at-crafting-or-do-it-all/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-specialize-at-crafting-or-do-it-all/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/10/the-daily-grind-do-you-specialize-at-crafting-or-do-it-all/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
I'm having the hardest time focusing on a tradeskill in Final Fantasy XIV. They're all enjoyable in their own way, and heck I even like gathering. I feel that I should specialize, though, because otherwise I'll spread myself too thin and ultimately run out of time for other FFXIV funsies and other games.

What about you, Massively crafters? Do you do it all in a particular game, or do you specialize in the stuff you need or the stuff that's most profitable?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

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consoleconsolescraftingdaily-grindfantasyffff14ffxivffxiv-craftingfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgatheringopinionsquaresquare-enixtdgthe-daily-grindtradeskillsThu, 10 Oct 2013 08:00:00 -0400319|20739892http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/09/new-pathfinder-dev-blog-details-salvaging-harvesting-and-more/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/09/new-pathfinder-dev-blog-details-salvaging-harvesting-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/10/09/new-pathfinder-dev-blog-details-salvaging-harvesting-and-more/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
So what about Pathfinder's non-combat gameplay? I'm thinking specifically here about salvaging, harvesting, and gathering. What's that, you say? GoblinWorks has just posted a dev blog on these very topics?

Well, I'll be!

It seems as if salvaging has been simplified a bit since the last the time the devs talked it up. Oh, and harvesting spots are generated procedurally, so you won't necessarily be able to map out iron and tree nodes like you can in more typical MMOs. Gathering nodes have also been tweaked. More specifically they're now tied to the supply of harvestable resources in a particular hex, and GoblinWorks is currently going with a system of exclusive discovery rights to prevent claim-jumping.

Finally, today's dev blog touches on the game's outposts, which are semi-permanent structures in wilderness areas that produce a steady supply of bulk goods by the hour. Hit the links below to learn more.

Dust off the moon
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craftingfantasygatheringgoblinworksoutpostspathfinderpathfinder-craftingpathfinder-onlinepathfinder-outpostspnpresourcesryan-danceysandboxsandparkWed, 09 Oct 2013 18:00:00 -0400319|20741570http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/27/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-crafting-system-is-your-favorite/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/27/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-crafting-system-is-your-favorite/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/09/27/the-daily-grind-which-mmo-crafting-system-is-your-favorite/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
I've been doing a lot of crafting and gathering in Final Fantasy XIV lately, and while I'll stop short of any best-ever hyperbole, let's just say that I like it a lot. The crafting in particular is a cut above the usual collect-resources-press-button-go-walk-the-dog MMO norm, and the gathering is similarly involving to the point where you can't AFK it because you're actively engaged and making choices.

Speaking of best-evers, though, that would make for an interesting Daily Grind question. Wouldn't you agree? So, to make it official, which MMO has your favorite crafting and/or gathering mechanics?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

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consoleconsolescraftingdaily-grindfantasyffff14ffxivffxiv-craftingffxiv-gatheringfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgatheringopinionsquaresquare-enixtdgthe-daily-grindtradeskillsFri, 27 Sep 2013 08:00:00 -0400319|20729980http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/cutting-to-the-heart-of-extraction-in-the-repopulation/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/cutting-to-the-heart-of-extraction-in-the-repopulation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/cutting-to-the-heart-of-extraction-in-the-repopulation/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
If you want to craft items in The Repopulation, you're not going to go down to the science fiction equivalent of Ikea and buy the Martin Plasma Rifle. You're going to get out into the wild and get the resources you need. There are two systems for gathering items in The Repopulation, and the newest development blog for the game discusses one of the ways to grab those resources: Extraction, also known as "digging useful components out of corpses."

Since the game doesn't feature levels, there's a more organic system to gathering these resources. Players first decide how difficult the extraction should be, with higher difficulties resulting in higher-grade resources. More difficult extractions take longer, however, and as a result, players have a higher chance to fail unless they've practiced harvesting a particular species. For more details on the specifics, check out the full development blog on the official site.

Extraction blog
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above-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiescraftingextractiongame-mechanicsgatheringgathering-systemsitemsrepopulationresourcessandboxsci-fithe-repopulationMon, 13 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400319|20566142http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-gathering/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-gathering/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-gathering/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
We all like to stop and smell the roses. And then we like to pluck those roses, bring them home, and melt them into component enzymes that will allow us access to a temporary attack power buff. Final Fantasy XIV is beautiful, sure, but you need that attack power bonus.

If it isn't obvious, this week's stop on my whirlwind beta tour is the fine art of grabbing items from the landscape and turning them into crafting fodder. Final Fantasy XIV had quite an interesting gathering system at launch, but it also had some pretty serious problems, and so the relaunch had to completely revamp the system while retaining the soul of the original version. No pressure.

Not a whole lot changed in terms of gathering between my time in San Francisco and my time in the beta, but I did have a great deal more time to try out the gathering system. So let's take a walk on the self-sufficient side.

Welcome back to The Queue, the daily Q&A column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Sarah Pine (@ilaniel) will be your host today.

Thanks to tumblr for introducing me to the Armenian pop singer Sirusho. I can't get this song out of my head, despite not understanding a word of it. This video in particular has been praised for featuring some wonderful Armenian design, and it's easy to see why!

Ron2 asked:

What's your favorite class and/or race for a gathering alt? Horde or Alliance, Mining, Herbing, and/or Skinning, I leave that up to you.

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farminggatheringhigh-elvesmusicprofessionsthe-queueWed, 08 May 2013 14:00:00 -040099|20562256http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/the-art-of-wushu-making-silver-through-harvesting/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/the-art-of-wushu-making-silver-through-harvesting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/27/the-art-of-wushu-making-silver-through-harvesting/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
I got a lot of backlash over the last installment of The Art of Wushu. While the issues over pay-to-win are understandable, an overwhelming number of you seemed to disbelieve the amount of silver I was able to produce daily. Some of you protested my 1D/daily figure (which is on the high side), while others questioned whether I could make even 500L per day. My email was flooded with people asking me to share some of my secrets.

I was going to talk about movement and parkour this time, but because you guys asked, you'll get an answer. "How do I make money in Age of Wushu," you ask? Let's cover the easy ways to make money. These are methods that literally any player, regardless of subscription status or level, can take advantage of. This time we're going to cover harvesting -- what sells and what doesn't. Let's get started.

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age-of-wulinage-of-wushuage-of-wushu-guideage-of-wushu-guidesart-of-wushuchinachinesechinese-mythologycolumnfeaturedfishinggatheringharvestinghempherbalismincomekung-fumaking-money-in-age-of-wushumartial-artsminingmoneymoney-makingmoneymakingpoison-makingsandboxsellingsilversnail-gamessnail-games-usavendingwushuwuxiayou-can-harvest-weed-tooWed, 27 Feb 2013 12:00:00 -0500319|20477523http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/land-and-hand-crafting-and-gathering-in-final-fantasy-xivs-rel/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/land-and-hand-crafting-and-gathering-in-final-fantasy-xivs-rel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/land-and-hand-crafting-and-gathering-in-final-fantasy-xivs-rel/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
When I was playing Final Fantasy XIV's pre-launch beta, it was gathering that made me realize I was in real trouble with this game. Normally I consider gathering to be a necessary evil, a part of the game that exists and only occasionally overlaps with what I like to do. But the first time I started chopping away as a Botanist, I knew that something special was going on here.

Of course, gathering and crafting also needed an overhaul. The former was a frequently luck-based minigame that could be intensely frustrating to decipher with few skills that seemed to do much, and the latter was obtuse even if you ignore the fact that you didn't have a recipe book. So the relaunch had the unenviable task of reworking both systems while at the same time retaining what made them such a breath of fresh air.

If you liked Final Fantasy XIV's crafting or gathering before, I'm happy to say you still will -- and odds are good you'll like both even more because the new systems in place are solid improvements of what came before.

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a-realm-rebornconsoleconsolescraftingcrafting-mechanicsdisciples-of-the-handdisciples-of-the-landfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-version-2.0final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgatheringgathering-mechanicshands-onminigamesnew-systemspreviewpreviewssquaresquare-enixThu, 21 Feb 2013 09:00:00 -0500319|20465572http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/21/final-fantasy-xivs-yoshida-on-pvp-chocobos-and-mobile-apps/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
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The recent Final Fantasy XIV press event in San Francisco didn't just mean a chance to sit down and play the game amidst a lushly decorated room, although that was certainly on the agenda. It also meant a chance to ask director and producer Naoki Yoshida some questions about the game going forward and the plans for development down the line, diving beyond what we see and into more fine details about the game's mechanics.

While players will have access to a sizable chunk of the revamped game when the beta goes live on February 25th, there's still a lot that's hidden behind a veil of secrecy. Yoshida's answers help illuminate more details about what's going on in Final Fantasy XIV that might not be playable right now but will be in the near future. And even beyond the foundation that's visible from the beta, the promise of more expansion only adds to the game's overall quality.

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a-realm-rebornclassclassesconsoleconsolesfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-version-2.0final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgatheringhousinginterviewinterviewsmobile-appmobile-functionalitypress-eventpreviewpreviewsprofessionspvprelaunchrevampsquaresquare-enixtest-phasestestingupcoming-systemsThu, 21 Feb 2013 09:00:00 -0500319|20466336http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/darkfall-shows-off-its-mad-crafting-skills/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/darkfall-shows-off-its-mad-crafting-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/darkfall-shows-off-its-mad-crafting-skills/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
When Darkfall eventually relaunches as Unholy Wars, it's bringing with it a robust crafting system that apparently deserves a preview video set to a stirring theme.

The video throws out plenty of tantalizing numbers to demonstrate Darkfall's crafting diversity: 98 different harvestable materials, 17 crafting skills, 12 crafting masteries, 75 unique crafted materials, 410 unique crafting recipes, and 626 unique craftable items. And it ends with a player casually tossing out a fully crafted boat from his inventory for him and his friends to sail.

Give the video a look after the jump and let us know: How important is crafting to you in a PvP-centric MMO?

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agonaventurinecraftingdarkfalldffantasygatheringharvestingopen-pvppvpsandboxtrailervideoThu, 14 Feb 2013 15:00:00 -0500319|20462711http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/eve-fanfest-has-totally-sold-out/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/eve-fanfest-has-totally-sold-out/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/eve-fanfest-has-totally-sold-out/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
The EVE Online gathering of fans has totally sold out, man. It's completely sold out... of tickets. Yes, this year's EVE Fanfest has already reached full capacity, with the final ticket being sold today. That means that if you were hoping to somehow make your way out to Iceland for the gathering... well, you still can go to Iceland, but you won't be getting into CCP's convention.

This year's fanfest will be bigger than previous years as it includes both EVE Online and DUST 514 under its header. It's also the 10th anniversary of EVE Online, so there are sure to be all sorts of interesting events for attendees. If you already have your ticket, you can look forward to it, but if you missed it, your only chance now is to hope to catch some online coverage. On the brighter side, if you had already booked a flight and/or lodgings before tickets had sold out and you are now out of luck, you can contact CCP Games to help recover your investment.

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ccpccp-gamesconsoleconventiondustdust-514eveeve-fanfesteve-onlinefanfestfpsgatheringinternet-spaceshipsmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3salessandboxsci-fishootersold-outspreadsheets-onlineticketsFri, 08 Feb 2013 14:30:00 -0500319|20454641http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/the-art-of-wushu-gathering-and-crafting/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/the-art-of-wushu-gathering-and-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/30/the-art-of-wushu-gathering-and-crafting/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Life skills are the central point of Age of Wushu's player economy. All useful equipment, food, and most of the useful consumables are only available through crafting, and equipment requires lengthy production chains and an injection of tradable silver in order to make it effective. This process is fairly daunting to a new player, and even experienced players go for a long time without taking advantage of the many advantages present from trade and crafting.

In Age of Wushu, life skills represent a character's day job. You'll go to work gathering materials to sell or to craft into goods to sell, and then use the money from those sales to purchase things other people make and food to sustain yourself. Because we have a limited amount of space, this column will focus on production skills and production chains so that you can make the best choice about which type of goods you want to craft.

You'll begin, as most crafters do, by gathering materials. As you run through the world, you'll have skills to triangulate gathering nodes. Upon approaching a node, you'll get to choose from a list of things you can try to gather from it -- a tree, for example, might be a place where you could find a log, or a feather, or maybe some sap. Once you've got materials, it's time to head to your crafting bench, pick a recipe, and start working. You'll have construction skills that focus on the quality and progress of your crafting.

Skip below the cut to see all the fast-paced, high-octane gathering and crafting action.

If there's one thing that carries across every game in every genre, it's that players excel at abusing systems. With that knowledge in mind, it's only reasonable to expect that certain fans of Darkfall expressed concerns when they were told about the no-PvP "safe zones" that will be part of the game's large-scale revamp to Darkfall Unholy Wars. Aventurine has taken the time to address some of those concerns.

It "will not be possible" for people to exploit the border of no-PvP zones by switching in and out of safety as they please, because of the timer that kicks in upon entering and exiting the PvP zone. That timer controls whether or not a player is protected: Players will remain unprotected for a short while upon entering no-PvP zones and will stay protected for a short while upon exiting them. This protection prevents damage both to and from other players.

Players will not be able to stay in protected areas to farm materials and skip the excitement of looking over their shoulders for a foe every time they pause to harvest a resource node. Safe zones will have relatively common resource and "next to no rare resources." The rarity and value of resources will go up depending on how dangerous the locale is, so players will have plenty of incentive to move away from safe zones.

Get the full word on safe zones and how they're totally not going to be even a bit exploitable at all on the official forums.

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agonaventurinedarkfalldarkfall-unholy-warsdffantasygatheringno-pvpnodesopen-pvppvpresourcesafe zonesSafeZonessandboxunholy-warsFri, 02 Nov 2012 16:00:00 -0400319|20369381http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/14/world-of-warcraft-druid-reaches-90-without-a-kill/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Massively&ncid=rss_semi
http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/14/world-of-warcraft-druid-reaches-90-without-a-kill/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/14/world-of-warcraft-druid-reaches-90-without-a-kill/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Massively#comments
Pacifist characters have a pretty colorful history in World of Warcraft, and the latest chapter in their non-violent march to max level has been written by a Tauren Druid named Irenic.

Irenic recently reached level 90 in Mists of Pandaria with a grand total of zero creatures killed, 92 total damage done, and one completed quest. "The one quest I got is a new unavoidable quest that is now auto-flagged as complete for all factions. It registered after I hit 86," Irenic explains on WoW's forums.

How did he manage it without a single kill? "Since the entrance to Pandaria isn't designed to be entered without questing and killing, I spent all my time doing archaeology and gathering in Kalimdor," Irenic wrote.